Postgraduate Courses
ENVS
Environmental Science
- ENVS 5111Environmental Health[3-0-0:3]DescriptionThis course identifies the potential health hazards in the environment. It also emphasizes on the importance of environmental health for moral, legal and financial reasons. Environmental health systems as well as legislation and public organizations in Hong Kong, China and overseas will also be discussed and compared.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Interpret the definitions and principles of environmental health.
- 2.Identify potential health hazards.
- 3.Demonstrate the methodologies to assess, prevent and control environmental hazards affecting human health.
- 4.Contrast the knowledge obtained to everyday life.
- 5.Assemble the basic ideas and knowledge to prepare for further studies.
- ENVS 5112Environmental Hazards[3-0-0:3]DescriptionThis course aims to provide in-depth knowledge on the potential effects of environmental hazards on the abiotic and biotic environment through various routes and doses of exposure. Current approaches of managing chemical, biological, physical and mechanical hazards in the environment will be addressed.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Identify major natural and man-made environmental hazards.
- 2.Check adjustment and preventive measures for natural hazards.
- 3.Evaluate the impacts of environmental hazards on the abiotic and biotic environment through various routes and doses of exposure.
- 4.Apply the principle and knowledge in environmental hazards identification, risk assessment and management to handle hazards emission problems.
- ENVS 5113Marine Ecotoxicology[3-0-0:3]Exclusion(s)OCES 5320DescriptionThis course introduces the impacts and toxic effects of environmental pollutants on growth, morphology and species richness of marine organisms with emphasis at the population, community and ecosystem level. Concepts and methods to assess the impacts of toxicants in marine organisms and environment will also be discussed.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Evaluate the scope of ecotoxicology study and recognize the major classes of pollutants.
- 2.Interpret the major concepts in ecotoxicology study, such as the entry and fate, bioaccumulation and bioavailability.
- 3.Analyze the ecological and biological responses of pollutants at different levels.
- 4.Apply methods in conducting ecotoxicology research, such as the kinetic modelling, biomonitoring, toxicity testing, biomarkers and toxicity mechanisms study.
- 5.Conduct risk assessment in real environmental settings.
- ENVS 5114Environmental Diseases and Microbiology[3-0-0:3]DescriptionThis course aims to study microorganisms in the natural environment and their potential impacts on human beings. Pesticides, chemicals, radiation, air and water pollution are the manmade hazards that are believed to contribute to human illness. Microorganisms or environmental agents cause airborne and waterborne infectious diseases as well as microbial biodegradation of pollutants will also be discussed.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Define the role of the physical environments in the dispersal of pathogens and in the transmission of diseases.
- 2.Estimate the effects of climate change on disease epidemiology.
- 3.Analyze the roles of socio-economic factors in the emergence of new diseases and the emergency of antibiotic resistant microbes.
- ENVS 5115Food Safety Control[3-0-0:3]DescriptionThis course provides up-to-date technology, and industrial practices on food safety control. Several international food standards and food safety management systems (e.g. ISO 22000, HACCP), as well as changes in food safety legislation which coupled with a number of high profile food safety issues will be discussed.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Discuss the problem of foodborne disease in a global context, analyze its cause and identify appropriate control strategies.
- 2.Critically evaluate the principles behind procedures in risk assessment and management in foodborne diseases.
- 3.Critically evaluate the national and international legislative and enforcement frameworks and recognize the roles of various international agencies involved in food safety control.
- 4.Explain how the food surveillance programme is designed to control and prevent food hazards.
- 5.Identify the food safety management systems principles and requirements in ISO 22000.
- 6.Appraise approaches to risk assessment and risk management and the implementation of food safety management systems.
- 7.Identify, investigate and critically evaluate a current issue in food safety by applying selected theory and research techniques.
- ENVS 5116Environmental Impact and Risk Assessment[3-0-0:3]Exclusion(s)EVSM 6070DescriptionThis course introduces the general principles, processes and methodologies of EIA and ERA in different developmental projects locally and globally. Specific socio-economic impacts, environmental law and policy, as well as problems and constraints of EIA and ERA implementation will also be discussed and compared through various case studies from developed and developing countries.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Explain the relationships between economic development, human health, and environmental sustainability.
- 2.Associate the legal base and common practice of environmental impact assessment in Hong Kong.
- 3.Apply the principles and knowledge in environmental and risk impact assessments to solve environmental problems.
- 4.Compare the practice of environmental impact and risk assessment across different regions, and summarize international trend for assessing the impact of large development project.
- 5.Exemplify the environmental challenges Hong Kong, China as well as the world is facing and become a responsible citizen to have a positive contribution to the achievement of a sustainable environment.
- ENVS 5117Public Health and Hygiene[3-0-0:3]DescriptionThis course offers new perspectives of public health and hygiene, emphasizing on practical aspects of epidemiological investigations and public health managements. Health risk assessment issues in relation to environmental health will also be covered. Students will review the harmful or toxic effects of drugs on human health and environment, and epidemiological studies on both infectious and non-communicable diseases, which will be relevant to students pursuing a career in the public health sector.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Define fundamental principles of public health and hygiene.
- 2.Illustrate risk assessments principles for defining environmental toxicants.
- 3.Interpret the contemporary efforts in controlling environmental health from global perspectives.
- 4.Recognize important and basic standards in drug developments and manufacturing, and describe the roles interplayed by the pharmaceutical sector.
- 5.Formulate important skill-set in presentation and reporting from developing collaborative projects.
- ENVS 5118Conservation and Sustainable Development[3-0-0:3]DescriptionThis course aims to address the importance of different elements and practices in conserving our biodiversity. It also introduces the concept of sustainable development to meet the future needs and balance the objectives between society, economy and environment. It explores ways of finding solutions to the challenges through the promotion of sustainable development.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Critique the importance of different elements and practices in conserving our biodiversity.
- 2.Describe the concepts of sustainable development to meet the future needs and balance the objectives between society, economy and environment.
- 3.Apply relevant ecological principles and management techniques to solve real-life environmental conservation problems.
- 4.Critically evaluate the merits, limitations and future trends in environmental conservation and sustainable development.
- ENVS 5119Pollution Monitoring and Control[3-0-0:3]DescriptionThis course introduces environmental consequences of air, water and noise pollution. It also considers theoretical and practical aspects of the design and execution of pollution monitoring programmes. Major issues related to pollution control, such as pollution types and sources, technological aspects of pollution control, and pollution-related legislation and regulations will be discussed.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Demonstrate environmental consequences of air, water, soil and noise pollution.
- 2.Evaluate air and water quality objectives and standards in Hong Kong and elsewhere.
- 3.Develop experimental designs and sampling strategies for monitoring programmes and evaluate their effectiveness in pollution monitoring.
- 4.Explain the importance and principles of pollution control, including the interactions between production, technology and regulation/legislation.
- 5.Apply relevant ecological and toxicological principles to problems related to pollution control.
- ENVS 5120Occupational Health and Safety[2-1-0:3]DescriptionThis course will cover the recognition, evaluation and control of various physical, chemical, biological and ergonomic hazards encountered in the occupational environment. Emphases will focus on the nature and impact of these hazards, assessment methods and corresponding control measures to ensure protection of workers' health and compliance with regulatory requirements.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Anticipate and recognize common hazards of selected work environment.
- 2.Find suitable instruments to assess such hazards.
- 3.Interpret/appraise hazard assessment results.
- 4.Recommend/critique basic control measures.
- 5.Describe legal requirements for protection of workers' health and safety.
- 6.Be recognized for the proficiency in occupational health and safety knowledge and skills via the award of a certificate by HSEO.
- ENVS 6111Environmental Health Research Project[3 or 6 credits]DescriptionThis course enables students to conduct an independent project in selected areas of environmental health and safety under the supervision of one or more Faculty members. Students shall consult the list of topics provided by the Faculty members and choose to conduct a literature review-based or lab work-based project. A project carrying 3 credits will take place over one regular term. A lab work-based project carrying 6 credits will take place over two consecutive regular terms, and the permitted to proceed (PP) grade will be issued at the end of the first term. Students are required to submit written reports of their works and present the major findings in a symposium attended by peers and faculty members. This course is for MSc students only. Approval from course instructor is required. The course may be repeated for credits.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Carry out a substantial research project in selected areas of environmental health and safety.
- 2.Demonstrate the initiative and intellectual achievement of the investigation by applying skills and knowledge learnt.
- 3.Develop expertise and experience of project management and practical training.
- 4.Analyze data and synthesize research findings.
- 5.Report research findings in written and verbal forms.
